Hello! If you live in the USA, I want to wish you a happy Thanksgiving holiday. I know you're most likely busy right now but I wanted to pop in to remind you to save that turkey carcass (such an unattractive word!) and make turkey soup! Last year I wrote step by step posts to make no fail turkey soup. This post is where it begins!  We will be a small gathering this year but whether large or small, I always make a big turkey because we are a family who loves their turkey. The day after Thanksgiving I'll be listening to carols, decorating the house for Christmas, and making turkey stock. I actually look forward to the day after! 

I'm a gal who loves to give and receive gifts, but now more than ever I'm looking for practical, inexpensive, useful, clutter free gifts. Consumables are great to give; think champagne, lotto scratchers, candles, fancy baking mixes, and exotic jars of jam or honey, but I also love to surprise friends and family with supremely practical gifts they will love to use. 

Opening our stockings on Christmas morning is a big treat in our home. Each person is responsible for putting two items into each stocking and while we don't have a price limit, it's unspoken that they are supposed to be inexpensive. My son tends to give candy bars and my husband is fond of gifting lotto scratchers. My mother used to give toothpaste and floss and my daughter loves to give makeup and personal care items. My specialty is finding that quirky useful item. One year I gave batteries and scotch tape! Many of these items are appropriate for hostess gifts and a few are meant for more special under-the-tree gifts. I own, use and love every single thing on this list. Some you’ll find quirky but I think you'll love what I've come up with. All prices are accurate on posting day, but may change.

Are you ready to gift something that's a little bit out of the ordinary? Here ya go!